Dame Mary Peters DBE RNR

“I have been fortunate through my Olympic success to have travelled all over the world and visited many, many countries. Unfortunately, I have seen how violence and aggression has caused heartache and devastation to thousands of people. And here, in Northern Ireland we have come through 30 years of conflict where many people across all religious divides have suffered.

We therefore, perhaps more than other nations, understand the importance of Peace.

I urge you to support this International Day of Peace – Reflect, Support and Celebrate!”

Eamonn Holmes

“As someone who grew up during the troubles I appreciate how important ‘peace’ is. Northern Ireland has come a long way in its journey of reconciliation and its essential that we do not forget this.

I encourage everyone to mark the UN International Day of Peace and to remember how far we have come and how we can now look forward to a united future.”

Patrick Kielty

“As someone who grew up when peace in our country was only a distant dream, I ask you all to get behind the UN International Day of Peace.

When we stand alone, we lose ground to those who hate. When we stand together, we move forward with one voice. Don’t take it for granted. It’s our peace. Let’s show the world what we stand for on Sept 21st.”

Ben Clarke

“When we live in a stable environment with loving friends and family, it is hard to imagine the suffering that not having this would cause. Unfortunately, so many people are living with violence, bullying and upset at home, in school or in the workplace.

Peace is important on a national level, but even more so, on a personal level in a person’s day to day life, vital for inner peace. It’s a human right to live in peace and free from hurt and violence.”

Martin Lynch

For almost 30 years Martin Lynch has been one of the leading playwrights in Northern Ireland. His plays have been produced in all the leading theater’s in Ireland as well as in the UK, Europe and the USA. He has been Resident Writer at the Lyric Theatre Belfast, the University of Ulster and most recently with Greenshoot Productions, Belfast.

Carolyn Stewart

“Growing up in the heart of a violent North Belfast at the height of the troubles I’ll never forget the darkness of those days and the blanket of fear and uncertainty under which so many of us lived out our childhoods. Yet, look at us now… we are a shining example to the world over, particularly as conflict continues to rage in Africa and the Middle East, of how peace can change everything and open up opportunities that we never dreamed we could have. People often talk about all the things that Northern Ireland is not but when it comes to forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation, compromise, sacrifice and understanding we’ve done it all. As people who understand perhaps more than any others in recent history the suffering and devastation that conflict brings and the benefits that peace proffers, we are worthy contributors to the UN International Day of Peace. I urge you all to stand up together on 21 Sept and celebrate and reflect on just how far we’ve come – be proud, we deserve it.”

Wayne McCullough

“Growing up on the Shankill Road at the height of the troubles I was well aware of the devastation that conflict can cause. I was fortunate boxing gave me the chance to escape, thankfully we are now living in relative Peace and young people of Northern Ireland can embrace the changes and opportunities that peace offers . We have come a long way but we have to remember that there is still a long way to go and everyone needs to work together to achieve this, I urge everyone to come together on the International Day of Peace to remember, reflect and support Peace.”

Ivan Little

One of Northern Ireland’s best known broadcast journalists and theatre actors, Ivan Little is a man of many talents. His autobiography Little By Little charts the highs and lows of a career that has seen him graduate from the modest induction of the Portadown Times to the mighty media climbs of UTV and ITN.

Gerry Kelly

Gerry Kelly one of Ireland’s most popular TV presenters. Before becoming a broadcaster, Gerry was a primary school teacher and a lecturer in St Mary’s Teacher Training College, Belfast. His first TV job was as a part time sports reporter before in 1989 starting Kelly a talk/variety show on UTV which ran until 2005.

Ciaran McMenamin

Ciaran has appeared on various BBC/ITV shows and in the Channel 4 comedy series The Young Person’s Guide To Becoming A Rock Star. In 1999 he had the title role in the BBC One TV movie David Copperfield. He also co-starred in the 2005 ITV series The Golden Hour. He co-starred in the 2001 movie To End All Wars.

In 2008, Ciaran played the lead in the critically acclaimed award winning The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce. Shot over five weeks in the rain-forests of Tasmania, Ciaran received rave reviews for his performance as the Irish convict. He has now picked up the role of Matt Anderson in the science fiction TV show Primeval, taking the top billing.

Gerard McCarthy

Gerard’s career started when he was awarded Kenneth Branagh’s Renaissance Scholarship to train as an actor. He is now famous to millions as Kris Fisher in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, a role that earned him the title of Best TV Actor at the 2007 Irish Entertainment Awards and a Best Newcomer nomination at The British Soap Awards.

Pamela Ballantine

Pamela started her career in broadcasting in local radio station, Downtown Radio before joining BBC Radio Ulster as a full-time presenter for six months before joining UTV.

While working for UTV she has presented a variety of programmes, including Farming Ulster, Telethon, The Ulster Schools Quiz, Hot Pursuits and was the main presenter and reporter for UTV Live at 5.30.

Pádraic Delaney

In 2006 Pádraic first appeared before international audiences as Teddy O’Donovan in Ken Loach’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley, opposite Cillian Murphy. The film won the Palme D’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, and Pádraic was nominated for two 2007 Irish Film and Television Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Breakthrough Talent.

George Jones

George started entertaining in the showbands era before moving on to other avenues of entertainment he has involved himself in include stand-up comedy, theatre shows, radio disc-jockeying and television presenting. George is probably known best for his time with BBC Radio Ulster show Just Jones for which he won a Sony Radio Academy Award for best local radio presenter.

Órla Fallon

A multi-award winning artist, both a vocalist and harpist. Known best for singing traditional Irish music, most often in Gaelic. Orla is a talented harpist and a marvelous singer with the voice of an angel.

Grainne Maher

Belfast born milliner Gráinne Maher, creates bespoke headwear and runs the Jewelery & Accessories label Pluck & Devour. Working from her home studio at Ravenhill, Gráinne produces sophisticated pieces using classic shapes, hand-dyed feathers and antique embellishments. She also experiments with avant-garde styling and modern materials to achieve statement pieces that are not for the fainthearted.